Definition

1. Noun:

   • A style of jazz music: A type of swing jazz, typically played by big bands, that was popular in the 1930s and 1940s. It is characterized by a strong, driving rhythm and a simpler structure compared to later, more complex jazz styles.
   • A dance performed to this music: A lively, energetic dance style that evolved alongside jive music, often involving kicks, flicks, and turns.
   • (Slang) Deceptive or nonsensical talk: Insincere, exaggerated, or foolish talk; language that is not to be taken seriously.

2. Verb:

   • To dance to jive music: To perform the jive dance.
   • (Slang) To deceive or tease; to talk nonsense: To engage in deceptive, exaggerated, or foolish talk; to kid or joke around.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Music/Dance):
  • The band played an upbeat jive that got everyone on the dance floor.
  • They took first place in the jive competition.
• Noun (Slang - Talk):
  • Don't give me that jive; just tell me the truth.
  • His excuse was just a bunch of jive.
• Verb (Dance):
  • We learned to jive at the community center.
  • They jived all night to the swing band.
• Verb (Slang - Talk/Deceive):
  • He's just jiving you; he doesn't really know the answer.
  • Stop jiving and be serious for a moment.

Advanced Usage

• "Jive talk": A slang term referring specifically to the colorful, rhythmic, and often nonsensical or boastful language associated with jazz and hip cultures, particularly in the mid-20th century.
  • The comedian was a master of old-school jive talk.

Variants and Related Words

• Jiver (n): A person who dances the jive or (slang) a person who talks deceptively or foolishly.
• Jivey or Jivy (adj, informal): Having the qualities of jive music or slang; lively, rhythmic, or deceptive.
  • The song had a jivey feel to it.

Synonyms

• Noun (Music): Swing, big-band jazz.
• Noun/Verb (Slang): Nonsense, baloney, malarkey (for talk); kid, tease, fool (for action).

Related Phrases

• "Jive turkey" (slang, dated): A foolish, unreliable, or contemptible person.
  • That guy is a total jive turkey; you can't believe a word he says.

Idioms

• "On the jive" (slang, dated): Engaged in deceptive or insincere behavior.
  • I think he's on the jive about his connections.
• "Jive and jibe": This is sometimes used informally, though "jibe" (meaning to agree) is a separate word. The phrase can imply a mix of talk and agreement or be used for rhythmic effect.

Noun

1. a style of jazz played by big bands popular in the 1930s; flowing rhythms but less complex than later styles of jazz

Verb

1. dance to jive music; dance the jive